Back to Contents

Connect to a Wireless Network

Connect to a Wireless Network
First Time Connection
Using Wi-Fi Protected Setup*
Configure an Access Point and set up a Network
Connect an Enrollee to a Network or Access Point
Add an Enrollee to an Existing Network at the Registrar
Other Wireless Managers

Connect to a Wireless Network

Following are summary instructions for connecting to an existing wireless network. You can use any of the following methods.

• Automatic Connection: If an existing profile matches an available network, you are automatically connected to that wireless network.
• Configure a new profile: Select a wireless network from the list of wireless networks in the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window. Click Connect. If you successfully connect, a profile is created in the Profiles list for future use.
• Connect to a profile in the Profiles list: You can select a profile from the Profiles list. To activate it, click Connect. This allows you to connect to a network that is lower in the list (if it is available).
• Right-click the Taskbar icon located in the lower right corner of your Windows Desktop. Right-click Connect to Profiles. A list of previously configured profiles is listed. Select a profile.
• Use Wi-Fi Protected Setup* to join or configure a wireless network.

First Time Connection

Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless software automatically detects wireless networks that are within range of your wireless adapter. When a network is found, a desktop alert notification displays: Wireless networks found. See Taskbar Icons for more information.

1. Double-click the desktop alert to open the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
2. Select a network from the Wireless Networks list.
3. Click Connect. If the network does not require security authentication, a desktop alert notifies you that you are connected to the network. See Intel PROSet/Wireless Main Window and Taskbar for more information about the taskbar menu and icons.

If you need to add security authentication:

1. The Create Wireless Profile General Settings opens and guides you through the configuration process.
2. Specify a Profile Name. The Profile Name is your name for this network. It can be anything that helps you identify this network. For example, My Home Network, Coffee Shop on A Street.
3. Wireless Network Name (SSID): Contains the network identifier name.
4. Click Next. The Security Settings attempts to detect the network settings of this network.
   • If a pre-shared key (PSK) or WEP password is required, you are prompted to enter this information prior to connection. Click Advanced to change or edit the PSK or other security settings. For information on key and passwords, see Network Keys.
   • If you need to add security settings, click Next to add the required security settings. See Security Overview for more information.
5. Click OK to connect to the wireless network.

If you ignore the Wireless networks found desktop alert, Intel PROSet/Wireless displays a message that prompts: Do you want to connect to a wireless network? Click Yes. The Intel PROSet/Wireless main window opens. Follow the instructions above to connect to a wireless network.

In addition to the Taskbar icon, Intel PROSet/Wireless also displays connection status the wireless network list and network connection status. See Intel PROSet/Wireless Main Window for more information.

Using Wi-Fi Protected Setup* to Configure or Join a Network

• Configure an access point and set up a network
• Connect an enrollee (computer) to a network or access point
• Add an enrollee to a network at the registrar

Intel PROSet/Wireless implements Wi-Fi Protected Setup to permit easy and secure set up and management of a wireless network. You can use this capability to initially set up a wireless network and to introduce new devices to the network. Wi-Fi Protected Setup simplifies the setup process and at same time helps ensure that the network is configured securely. The following terms are used in this discussion.

• Access Point: A device that connects wireless devices to a network. The access point is configured with the necessary network name (SSID) and security credentials.
• Enrollee: A device that seeks to join an access point or wireless network, but does not have the password or key for the access point or network. Once the computer obtains the valid password or key, it becomes a member of the wireless network. Intel PROSet/Wireless software can be configured to operate as an enrollee for a supported access point.
• Registrar: A registrar is a logical entity (usually a computer) that allows other devices (usually computers) to join the wireless network. Intel PROSet/Wireless software can be configured to operate as a registrar for a supported access point(s). The registrar securely transfers the access point key or password automatically.

A new wireless network is established by configuring the access point, connecting the desired computers equipped with wireless adapters, and optionally attaching external network connectivity (i.e. the Internet, typically by connecting the access point to a DSL or cable modem, or equivalent).

Configure an Access Point and set up a Network

The following steps will configure this computer as a registrar for a secure network or access point.

1. Locate the device ownership password for the access point. This is set by the manufacturer of the access point. The password is often located on a label on the bottom of the device.
2. Turn on the network access point.
3. At the computer that you want to establish as the registrar, turn on Intel PROSet/Wireless.
4. In Intel PROSet/Wireless, click Tools > Application Settings.
5. In the Advanced Settings area under Wi-Fi Protected Setup, turn on Enable device registration.

6. The following message tells you that one or more compatible devices are within range of your computer. Click this message. (Or, you can select the network from the Wireless Networks list in the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.)

7. The following panel opens. Use the Available Networks list to select the network that you want to connect to. In this example we have selected UnConfiguredAP. The listed network depends on what is detected. Click Next.

8. See the next panel. Enter the Device Ownership Password that you retrieved from the access point. Click Next to continue.

9. The next panel shown displays the Network Name, Security Type, and Password. If the access point is already configured, it is grayed out; proceed to step 10. If the access point is not configured (fields are not grayed out), proceed to step 11.
10. After a few seconds the following message is displayed:
    
    The access point is already configured. Do you want to reconfigure it?
    
    If you do not want to reconfigure the access point, select No. The software joins the network, makes the connection, and creates a profile. It then exits and this procedure is completed. If you want to reconfigure the access point, select Yes.
11. The next panel is displayed (it may not be identical to that shown below). The first field shows the name of the access point. This is by default the Network Name (SSID). In this example we have reset it to MyWPS. You can name it whatever you want.
12. The next field in the panel below is the Security Type. Select the security type you want.
    
• WPA* Personal requires manual configuration of a pre-shared key (PSK) on the access point and clients. This PSK authenticates a password or identifying code, on both the client station and the access point. An authentication server is not needed.
• WPA2* is the second generation of WPA security that provides enterprise and consumer wireless users with a high level of assurance that only authorized users can access their wireless networks. Here we have selected WPA2 Personal security. You can use Intel PROSet/Wireless profiles to obtain the wireless network name (SSID) and WPA2-Personal pass phrase to use for a legacy device. See Security for more information.
  
13. The third field is the Password (Key). The password shown is randomly generated or pre-configured, but you can change it to whatever password you want. However you should use a robust key for improved security. It must have between 8 and 63 characters. (This password will be entered later at the enrollee (computer) to give it access to this network.) When you have completed this step, click Next.

12. The following panels show the configuration of the access point and the registrar.

The next panel appears briefly and shows the configuration of wireless settings for the access point.

13. After the network receives the Ownership Password, you are notified that you have Successfully connected to <name of wireless network>. Click Finish. This process completes configuration of the access point and the registrar.

14. lf you want to save these settings to a profile for future use by a legacy client, click Save wireless settings to: C:\<name of wireless network>. The profile settings are saved to a text file (txt) on your local hard drive. The file is saved to your local C:\ drive by default. Accept the default save location or click Browse to choose another location on your computer.

Next, you can connect an enrollee (computer) to the network using the registrar.

Connect an Enrollee to a Network or Access Point

Perform these steps to connect an enrollee to the network you just created. This assumes that the registrar computer is running Intel PROSet/Wireless.

1. At the enrollee you want to connect the network, the message below tells you that one or more access points with Wi-Fi Protected Setup capability is within range of your wireless computer. Click on this message. (Or, you can select the network from the Wireless Networks list in the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.)

2. The Wireless Network Configuration start up page opens. Use the Available Networks list to select the network that you want to connect to (in this example it is MyWPS). Then click Next.

3. The Discovery panel opens, as shown next. The enrollee that you want to connect to the network discovers the registrar for the network. Assuming that the Discovery process succeeds, the name of the registrar or access point is displayed.

4. The next panel appears, displaying the Device Password (enrollee password). The password displayed at the enrollee is a unique, randomly generated temporary password for the enrollee. This password is used to ask permission to connect to the network access point. (The password shown below is an example only).

5. At the registrar, enter the password provided by the enrollee. Then click Next.

NOTE: This process assumes that the registrar is running Intel PROSet/Wireless software; the process and windows displayed at the registrar may be different for software from other vendors. Some access points may have a built in registrar.

6. The next panel lists the profile for this network. The selected profile will be sent to the enrollee, granting it access to the network. Only supported profiles are displayed. Supported profiles are those based on WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, and Open (None) security. Select the profile and click Next to finalize the enrollment process.

7. The following panel shows that the enrollee registration with the registrar is complete. Click Finish.

8. At the enrollee, click Next. At the enrollee, you are notified when you have Successfully connected to <name of wireless network>. Click Finish.

Add an Enrollee to an Existing Network at the Registrar

This following procedure lets you add an enrollee to an existing network, where the access point is already configured and the registrar has already joined the AP.

NOTE: This process assumes that the registrar is running Intel PROSet/Wireless software; the process and windows displayed at the registrar may be different for software from other vendors.

1. Get the Device Password for the enrollee computer that you want to add to the network.
2. At the task tray icon for Intel PROSet/Wireless, right-click and select Add New Device.
3. Peforms steps 5 through 8 of the procedure Connect an Enrollee to a Network or Access Point.

Other Wireless Managers

If the Intel PROSet/Wireless detects another software application trying to communicate with the wireless device, a message indicates so.

Microsoft Windows XP* Wireless Zero Configuration

To switch from Intel PROSet/Wireless to Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration, use one of the following methods:

From the Taskbar Menu:

Click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi* to switch to Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. Select this option to disable Intel PROSet/Wireless as your current wireless manager. You can then configure Microsoft Windows XP as your wireless manager.

NOTE: Any wireless profiles created in Intel PROSet/Wireless are not visible in Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. If you want to use your Intel wireless profiles, you need to select Use Intel PROSet/Wireless to manage Wi-Fi from the Taskbar menu.

From Intel PROSet/Wireless:

From the Advanced menu, click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi in the Intel PROSet/Wireless application. When you are finished using the Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration, you can switch back to Intel PROSet/Wireless. Click Enable Intel PROSet/Wireless on the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window or click Use Intel PROSet/Wireless to manage Wi-Fi from the Taskbar menu.

Third Party Wireless Software

If you use software provided by a hotspot location (coffee shop, airport terminal), Intel PROSet/Wireless notifies you and then disables itself. It cannot manage the wireless device when another wireless manager communicates with the wireless device. To take advantage of the Intel PROSet/Wireless features, you want to disable or remove this software when you leave the hotspot.

Back to Top

Back to Contents

Trademarks and Disclaimers